I did say I might expand on the title, so by way of trying to get back into more regular posting...
Tacitus, Agricola 7. 'quippe legatis qouque consularibus nimia ac formidolosa erat'
'even governors of consular rank found the legion more than they could manage and were afraid of it' (trans. Mattingly); or alternatively
'This legion had been unmanageable and formidable even to the consular lieutenants' (Harvard 1897)
The context of this requires some elaboration. During the upheavals of AD69 'the year of the four Emperors', the army of Britain had sided with Vitellius. However, internal tensions existed, the precise details of which elude us. Roscius Caelius, the legate of the Twentieth had some long-standing grievance with the governor Trebellius Maximus and disagreements rose almost to the level of general mutiny. Maximus left the province to join Vitellius, while Caelius effectively governed in his absence but it seems the army of Britain remained in the Vittelian camp nonetheless.
The second Battle of Cremona resulted in victory for the Flavian side (and defeat for the British vexillations present) and a new governor and new legates were sent to Britain. To the Twentieth was sent Cn Julius Agricola, subject of a glowing biography by his son-in-law Tacitus. He seems to have had difficulties with his new legion - the Twentieth had shown some reluctance to take the oath of allegiance to the new emperor - which Tacitus characteristically excuses. The Twentieth, we are told, was unmanageable and formidable and its previous commander had been unable to control it.
This description, nimia ac formidolosa, is the only direct description of the character of the legion in surviving sources - although the events of AD6 show the legion in a better light (we'll come back to that). Tied to specific events at a specific time, it is true - it may have been meekly obedient for ever after - but still, I rather like it. Formidolosa is easy enough, 'capable of inspiring fear', so Fearsome; nimia is more difficult 'too much for', 'more than they could manage' are not very snappy. Transgressing correct behaviour is the gist; Immoderate seems to fit the bill. So, Fearsome and Immoderate [(c) me by the way!].
